Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

[chopper2004]

Indonesia Navy

Indonesian Navy receives 2 x Bell 505 for training

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/20...ndonesian-navy



cheers

[chopper2004]

Korea is next military customer

RoK is next customer with 40 on order to train their army and navy pilots.



https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/21...copter-trainer



Cheers

[chopper2004]

Jordan

And the Royal Jordanian Air Force is next mil customer as agreement to purchase is signed at SOFEX

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/21...a2v28feeXx-qc8

[chopper2004]

Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations

Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations at Van Nuys Airport, adds a 505 to their fleet,

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/22...mXB2ewzoLE_BZI




The 505 was always on the cards for their air ops, replacing their legacy Bell 206B. TBT Jan 2020 and i went to Heli Expo in Anaheim, there was a white 505 demonstrator with an E/O Pod which I saw day or so later after show finished when I went to visit Van Nuys (my pic below)



cheers

[Tickle]

I finally saw a 505 in person a year or so ago doing scenic flights at the 12 Apostles, Australia. I guess the weird short skids and rat-nose isn't so bad after all.

[Agile]

Originally Posted by Tickle

I finally saw a 505 in person a year or so ago doing scenic flights at the 12 Apostles, Australia. I guess the weird short skids and rat-nose isn't so bad after all.

you forgot to mention
the engine cowling with venting grills handed out like poker cards
the tail weights exposed and attached with weird cable loops
the collective stick stolen from the R44

The Sicma Seat really stick out like a gem in there

[RVDT]

Originally Posted by Agile

you forgot to mention
the engine cowling with venting grills handed out like poker cards
the tail weights exposed and attached with weird cable loops
the collective stick stolen from the R44

The Sicma Seat really stick out like a gem in there

...............and the steel tube frame holding the dynamics together, and about a million PH screws to hold the panels on.

IMHO it's more like a re-invented 47J than a 206.

[FH1100 Pilot]

"Rat nose" BWAAAHAHAH. You got that right, Tickle! How did Bell come up with that monstrosity? I guess all of those old 206 designers must have either retired or died.

Originally Posted by RVDT

IMHO it's more like a re-invented 47J than a 206.

I always thought the 505 was just a Soloy J-model with an extra seat. A *fuglier* R-66 if that is even possible (and it almost isn't). Perhaps that's why the 505 has been sloooooow to penetrate the U.S. commercial market. (I wonder if Bell actually dreamed that it would, given the history of the EC120?) Even if its economics are incredible, the 505 still has zero ramp appeal. It's like having a brother with a huge neck goiter: You may love him but you really don't like to look at him. Or like having a *really* homely wife who's great in bed. "Hey honey? How's about wearing that Casper-The-Friendly-Ghonst costume again tonight! Oh, and let's leave the light off again, eh?"

[admikar]

I think you are going too far. Not all people choose on looks alone.

[Petit-Lion]

Originally Posted by Agile

you forgot to mention
the engine cowling with venting grills handed out like poker cards
the tail weights exposed and attached with weird cable loops
the collective stick stolen from the R44

The Sicma Seat really stick out like a gem in there

You forgot to mention the hastily strapped-on horizontal stab.
Too much things shouting "rushed, unfinished design". On the looks alone, I'd rather have another 206B than a 505. However, removing the broom closet was quite a feat.

[Heliads]

Anyone have a problem with the 505 tail rotor control cable pulley? Mine has just cr@ped out on me. Any advice appreciated.

[HeliFly189]

not our operations no